Recent Press Releases

Potential Energy – fuelling the nuclear energy debate

PR16(06)

Tue, 22 May 2007

http://potentialenergy.iop.org

With the threat of climate change and decreasing supplies of fossil fuels, the UK is going to have to find new ways to fuel our future to avoid an energy crisis. But with so much information out there, how can ordinary people find out more about what options there are? To help tackle this, the Institute of Physics today launches Potential Energy, a web log where three journalists will investigate the science of nuclear new-build for ten weeks. The government white paper on the future possibilities for the UK energy supply did not rule out building new nuclear power stations as a potential future energy source for the UK. It is vital that the public are well-informed about the scientific issues surrounding nuclear new-build and can join in the energy debate.

The journalists who will be posting on the site are Gia Milinovich, a science and technology broadcaster; Caspar Henderson, a freelance writer concerned with environment, energy and human rights; and Kat Arney, a former scientific researcher who now works in the public relations department of a cancer charity.

For the next ten weeks they will be researching the issues, talking to experts, attending seminars and, where necessary, visiting facilities. They will update the blog every week with their findings. Visitors to the site will be encouraged to get involved by posting comments on each blog entry and to voice their own views on nuclear energy, so a lively debate is expected.

Caitlin Watson, physics in society manager at the Institute, said “We’ve asked the writers not to shy away from areas where science comes into the debate, such as concerns over the management of nuclear waste. They’ll be sifting through all the opposing arguments for and against nuclear power, so that what you get to read on the blog are well-considered opinions not prejudiced knee jerk reactions or spin. They’ve all pledged to approach the issues with an open mind but they won’t be afraid to say what they think once they’ve explored all the angles.” 

Gia, an experienced ‘blogger’ said “I was very excited to be asked to take part in the Potential Energy project not only because of the intriguing subject matter, but because blogs are the ideal way to carry on large scale public discussions. Everyone has an opinion about nuclear power and our blog has the potential to be the source of some very heated, yet informative debate.

“My own opinion about nuclear power has oscillated over the years - sometimes for, sometimes against – usually with what is said in the press. This project gives me the opportunity to look past the spin to try and find the truth.”

Caitlin went on to say “The government will soon be making decisions about the future of the UK’s energy supply that will affect everyone. We hope that people coming to the site will benefit from the journalists' investigations when forming or clarifying their own opinions. The site will then give them the opportunity to take part in some robust, but informed, debate by commenting on the journalists' conclusions.”

More Information about the Potential Energy writers

 Gia Milinovich is a science and technology broadcaster as well as a ‘professional blogger’. She is currently writing and producing the production blog for the new Danny Boyle/Alex Garland sci-fi film Sunshine; writing a book about blogging; writing a science TV series with her physicist husband, Dr Brian Cox; and being the best mum in the world (according to her son).

 Caspar Henderson (http://jebin08.blogspot.com/) has written about energy, science, environment and human rights for, amongst others, The Financial Times, New Scientist, The Ecologist, and openDemocracy.net. He is currently writing a book about the future of coral reefs. http://coralstory.blogspot.com.

In the past Caspar has been critical of nuclear power, but is not dogmatic in his opposition.  He says:  "The UK government's Sustainable Development Commission recently concluded that there was no justification for bringing forward a new nuclear power programme at present. That still looks to me like a good judgment, but it's also the case that some reasonable and thoughtful people disagree with it.  One of the things I'd like to do in my contribution to the Potential Energy blog is to test my own assumptions by exposure to the best evidence and arguments in favour of nuclear.  Is Amory Lovins wrong when he says 'even huge subsidies will be the same as defibrillating a corpse: it will jump, but it will not revive'?"

Dr Kat Arney

After a brief career in scientific research, Kat realised she was much better at talking about science than actually doing it. So she started working for a large cancer charity, translating the mystical language of science into plain English. She also writes for Lablit (www.lablit.com), an online magazine about the cultural side of science. On her days off, Kat can be found spouting science on the airwaves as a presenter on the Naked Scientists radio show. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s a keen musician and can be heard playing the harp with various bands in London and Cambridge.

In the past Kat has thought of nuclear energy as a good thing. Now she says it’s time to re-visit the arguments for and against:

“My eyes are open to the problems of our own energy consumption as a country, and the environmental and political situation worldwide.  I’m also aware of the public attitude towards the risks and benefits of science – nuclear power included.  Given the public (or is it the media’s?) tendency to hysteria over such subjects, how do we approach this as a society?”

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